본 연구는 유칼립투스 기반 복합추출물(Eucalyptus-Based Complex, EBC)의 항산화 및 항염 증 효능을 평가하고, 기능성 화장품 소재로서의 적용 가능성을 검토하고자 수행되었다. EBC는 유칼립투스 오일, 티트리 오일, 로즈마리 오일과 편백·황금 70% 에탄올 추출물을 일정 비율로 혼합하여 제조하였으며, 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) 및 2,2'-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS+) 라디칼 소거능을 통해 항산화 활성을 측정하였다. 항염증 활성은 lipopolysaccharide(LPS)로 염증 을 유도한 RAW 264.7 대식세포에서 nitric oxide(NO) 생성량과 MTT assay 기반 세포 생존율을 측정하 고, 염증 관련 유전자(iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β)의 mRNA 발현을 real-time PCR로 분석하여 평가하였다. EBC는 100–1000 μg/mL 범위에서 DPPH 및 ABTS+ 라디칼 소거능이 90% 이상을 나타내어 우수한 항산 화 활성을 보였다. MTT 결과, EBC 처리 농도 25 μg/mL 미만에서 세포 생존율이 80% 이상으로 유지되 었으나, 25 μg/mL 이상 농도에서는 생존율이 80% 이하로 급격히 감소하여 사용 농도의 제한 필요성이 확인되었다. 동일한 안전 농도 범위에서 EBC는 LPS로 증가된 NO 생성을 농도 의존적으로 유의하게 감소 시켰고, real-time PCR 분석 결과 iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β mRNA 발현을 유의하게 억제하여 염증 매개인자의 발현을 조절하는 항염증 기전을 갖는 것으로 나타났다. 이상의 결과를 통해 유칼립투스 기반 복합 추출물은 적정 농도에서 산화 스트레스 저감과 염증 반응 조절을 동시에 수행할 수 있는 잠재력을 지니며, 향후 in vivo 및 임상 연구를 통해 검증된다면 민감·염증성 피부를 위한 기능성 화장품 원료로 활용될 수 있을 것으로 판단된다.

This study assessed the genetic outcomes of reintroducing Zacco koreanus into the Bongseonsa Stream by comparing the genetic diversity and population structure of the reintroduced population to those of the original populations from the Jojong and Sudong Streams. The reintroduced population in Bongseonsa Stream retained multiple haplotypes and displayed a mixed genetic composition with the original populations, indicating the reintroduction strategy’s effectiveness. The pairwise genetic differentiation value (FST) suggested that the Jojong Stream population, which is geographically closer and ecologically similar, contributed more to gene flow and potential local adaptation in the reintroduced population. Results from STRUCTURE analysis (K=2) and principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) showed no clear genetic separation among populations, supporting effective genetic integration. However, the relatively small effective population size (Ne) of the reintroduced population raises conserns about potential longterm risks of inbreeding and genetic drift, which could lead to a loss of genetic variation. Overall, the reintroduction successfully established a genetically diverse population in the short term, but continuous monitoring and adaptive management are crucial for maintaining genetic health and ensuring long-term population stability. This study underscores the importance of integrating genetic considerations into freshwater fish restoration programs and provides a reference for developing sustainable population management strategies.

National parks serve as protected areas that ensure the sustainable use of representative natural ecosystems. In South Korea, approximately 46% of the nation’s total species and 65% of its endangered species inhabit national parks. Comprehensive resource surveys have been conducted every 5 years in accordance with the Natural Parks Act to safeguard these invaluable biological resources. However, species identification in these surveys still largely relies on traditional methods, which are time-consuming and labor-intensive, and often subject to investigator bias. This study investigated freshwater fish communities in stream ecosystems at four national parks-Seoraksan, Woraksan, Deogyusan, and Hallyeohaesang-using environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding to evaluate the consistency of its results with those of conventional surveys. A total of 33 fish species (five orders, 11 families) were recorded in both methods. eDNA detected 31 species (detection rate: 93.9%), whereas conventional methods identified 22 species (66.7%). However, species richness values were significantly correlated between the two methods. eDNA exhibited higher detection efficiency (88.7-100.0%) across all parks than conventional methods (64.3-72.2%). Six endangered species were identified in total, four of which (66.7%) were detected by eDNA. The results indicate that eDNA metabarcoding provides a more sensitive, efficient, and reliable tool for assessing freshwater fish diversity in national parks than conventional methods. Overall, eDNA offers a valuable complement or potential alternative to conventional survey methods for the long-term monitoring of freshwater fish biodiversity.

Natural populations of numerous species have decreased sharply in recent years, and a number of mammalian species are also now at elevated risk of extinction globally. The long-tailed goral Naemorhedus caudatus, a vulnerable and protected species designated by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) and CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), is distributed in Northeast Asia including the Korean Peninsula. In South Korea, the Seoraksan National Park is known as the largest core habitat for the long-tailed goral population. In this study, phylogenetic relationships and population genetic features of the Seoraksan goral population were analyzed using fecal samples with both mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite markers. We found that Seoraksan gorals were the most closely related to Russian population, and also found that a unique Seoraksan lineage evolved there. In addition, the Seoraksan goral population showed higher genetic diversity than other South Korean populations, suggesting that this population might represent the most ecologically and evolutionarily important remnants of the long-tailed goral in South Korea. The Seoraksan goral population had a low level of genetic differentiation and a rather single genetic structure, suggesting that non-negligible levels of gene flow might have occurred across populations. Moreover, microsatellite genotype-based individual identification estimated that the population size was ≥81 in the Seoraksan National Park. Findings of our study suggest that effective conservation and restoration actions are needed for long-term conservation of N. caudatus in this protected area.

River estuaries are dynamic and productive ecosystems with high regional biodiversity. Environmental DNA (eDNA) has become a useful approach to assessing biodiversity in aquatic ecosystems. This study was conducted to investigate fish community characteristics and species diversity in two river estuary ecosystems, the Taehwa River and Changwon Stream. We further compared conventional and eDNA metabarcoding analyses of the fish communities. The conventional survey was performed in May, July, and October 2022, while the eDNA analysis was conducted only in May. We observed various fish species with different life histories, including carp, goby, and marine fish. We also found that migratory fish, such as dace Tribolodon hakonensis, sweetfish Plecoglossus altivelis, and eel Auguilla japonica, occurred in the Taehwa River, suggesting high river connectivity. Marine fish species were predominant in the Changwon Stream, as this river is located close to the sea. The diversity indices showed that the Taehwa River generally had higher species richness, evenness, and diversity values than the Changwon Stream. A total of 9-19 species were detected in the conventional survey for the three sites, whereas 11-18 species were found from eDNA analysis. The findings indicate that the sensitivity of eDNA was similar to or higher than that of the conventional method. Our study findings suggest the efficiency and efficacy of eDNA-based fish community monitoring, although with some shortcomings in applying the genetic marker to Korean fish, including no clear-cut distinction for Korean endemic species and/or genetically closely related species groups.

Ethyl formate (EF) is a naturally occurring insecticidal compound and is used to control pests introduced from abroad, in quarantine, by a fumigation method. In particular, it is mainly used as a substitute for methyl bromide and is less toxic to humans and less harmful to plants. This study aimed to investigate the possible acute toxicity of EF to useful organisms, and how to reduce phytotoxicity in watermelon, zucchini, and oriental melon. After fumigation with EF for 2 h, the LC50 values for earthworms, honey bees, and silkworms were 39.9, 7.09, and 17.9 g m-3, respectively. The degree of susceptibility to EF was in the order of earthworms, silkworms, and honey bees based on the LC50 value, and EF fumigation induced stronger acute toxicity to honey bees. Phytotoxicity was observed in watermelon leaves treated with a concentration of 7.5 g m-3 EF, and when treated with a concentration of 10.0 g m-3, it was confirmed that the edges of watermelon leaves were charred and seemed to be damaged by acids. Zucchini and melon, and other cucurbits, showed strong damage to the leaves when treated with a concentration of 10 g m-3, and sodium silicate, at concentrations of 10% and 20%, was used to reduce phytotoxicity. Therefore, acute toxicity towards nontarget organisms and phytotoxicity during the fumigation of EF should be reduced for efficient agricultural pest control.

본 연구는 동해유입하천 (강릉 연곡천, 양양 남대천), 한강수계 (섬강, 속사천), 낙동강수계 (길안천)에 서식하는 참갈겨니 (Zacco koreanus) 개체군을 대상으로 채집된 110개 체로부터 미토콘드리아 DNA COI 유전자 (mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase I)를 분자마커로 이용하여 계통지리학적 분석을 수행하고, 추가적으로 강릉 연곡천 상·중· 하류 개체군을 대상으로 집단유전학적 분석을 수행하였다. 계통지리학 분석 결과, 동해유입하천과 한강수계의 참갈겨니 개체군은 동일한 단일계통을 나타내었고, 낙동강수계의 개체군은 상이한 계통으로 분기됨을 나타내었으며, 다른 수계 계통과의 유전적 거리 수치 범위가 평균 4.0% (3.7~4.2%)로서 동일종 이상 수준을 보여 잠재종 가능성을 시사하였다. 참갈겨니가 서식하는 수계에 따른 형태학적 차이는 연구된 바 있으나 DNA 염기서열의 변이를 이용한 분자유전학적 연구는 부족한 실정이므로 본 연구 결과는 향후 낙동강수계 참갈겨니 개체군의 계통분류학적 연구에 기초자료로 활용될 수 있을 것으로 판단된다. 추후 집단유전체학 및 생태학적 분석을 통하여 관찰된 낙동강수계 계통이 다른 종, 잠재종 혹은 단순히 큰 수준의 종내 변이를 나타내는지에 대한 추가적인 연구가 필요하다. 강릉 연곡천 상·중·하류에 서식하는 개체군의 집단유전학 분석을 통해 중류의 개체군이 상대적으로 높은 다양성을 나타냈으며 상·중·하류 개체군 간의 유전적 차이는 나타나지 않았다. 이는 상·중·하류 개체군 간 유전자 확산이 원활하게 이루어지고 있음을 의미하며 하천의 개체군 간 연결성을 판단할 수 있는 지표로 활용될 수 있다. 하지만 생태학적 시간 스케일의 연구에 더 적합한 분자마커를 이용한 추후 연구가 필요할 것으로 사료된다.